W.H. Shurtleff rostered 14 covered hoppers for salt service out of Portland, Maine, between 1966 and 1983. These were divided into two batches of seven cars each. Numbers 101-107 were 2,500 cubic-foot ACF cylindrical hoppers built in 1966, while numbers 108-114 were Pullman-Standard 4,427 cubic-foot hoppers built in 1968. All 14 cars remained in service until 1983. The car bodies were painted light grey; the cylindrical hoppers featured red lettering, while the Pullman-Standard hoppers had a black top line of lettering.

W. H. Shurtleff Co.” Salt Chemicals. Rock salt for highway use to Groveton …or West Milan New Hampshire on c.n.

https://highballgraphics.com/product/w-h-shurtleff-ps-4427-covered-hopper/

  • WHSX 101-107 (7) ACF 3500 cu. ft. 3-bay cylindrical hoppers – Bowser
  • WHSX 109-114 (7) PS 4427 cu. ft. PS 3-bay hoppers – Athearn
Portland Terminal ALCO HH600 locomotive #1004 traveling along Commercial Street in Portland, Maine, November 1968. WL Blake & Co. building on the right, Franklin Street visible in the background, with an ACF cylindrical hopper in tow.
Portland Terminal’s ALCO HH600 #1004 moves along Commercial Street in Portland, Maine, November 1968. The locomotive passes WL Blake & Co., with Franklin Street visible in the distance. An ACF cylindrical hopper marked for W.H. Shurtleff Co. trails behind. © Unknown
Bangor, ME's rail yard along the Penobscot River on 1st November 1967, featuring W.H. Shurtleff Co. cylindrical hoppers in the foreground. Photograph © Art Doucette.
Bangor, ME’s bustling rail yard along the Penobscot River captures the spirit of 1st November 1967. W.H. Shurtleff Co. cylindrical hoppers dominate the foreground, exemplifying the industrial rail activity of the era. © Art Doucette
Maine Central caboose #648R and WHSX 112 hopper car in a train leaving Rigby Yard, Portland, Maine, March 15, 1977.
A Maine Central caboose #648R adds a classic touch to a train departing Rigby Yard, Portland, Maine, on March 15, 1977. The trainman strikes a pose that would likely raise eyebrows in today’s safety-conscious world. Also seen in the mix is WHSX 112, a W. H. Shurtleff Co. PS 4427 cu. ft. PS 3-bay hopper, specifically used for salt traffic. © Doug Lilly

If you have any additional information about their operations or photographs of W.H. Shurtleff Co.’s cars, please don’t hesitate to contact me—I’d love to hear from you.